Bratcher had served as director of Auburn's Food Systems Institute and a professor
in the Department of Animal Sciences. Her office facilitated development of interdisciplinary
teams aimed at developing proposals and securing funding for some 80 faculty members
associated with the institute. Her personal research interests have included food
safety of processed meats, pre- and post-harvest meat animal food safety and consumer
acceptance of niche-market meat products.

"I'm excited about the opportunity to join the team at such a well-respected institution
with an elite group of faculty and an outstanding research portfolio, and my family
and I are excited to become a part of the Lubbock community," Bratcher said. "Working
with faculty in CASNR to create joy in their careers by facilitating efficient and
effective research prospects, proposals, grants and reporting will be my core mission
with this new role."

Bratcher will begin her new duties in mid-June, filling roles currently held by two
senior CASNR administrators. Michael Ballou will serve as interim chairman of the Department of Veterinary Sciences, and David Weindorf has been named a research faculty fellow with the Office of Research & Innovation.

"Christy has the grantsmanship skills, personality and service mentality to help grow
CASNR's research portfolio in support of those we serve," said CASNR Dean William
Brown. "I want to thank all the members of the search committee working under the
leadership of Cindy Akers, CASNR's associate dean for Academic and Student Programs,
for their hard work and dedication to the search process."

Bratcher earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Florida
and her doctorate from the University of Missouri. She is a member of the American
Meat Science Association, American Society of Animal Science and the National Cattlemen's
Beef Association.

Her recent research has centered on a five-year, $4.8 million Agriculture & Food Research
Initiative project through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) aimed at a systems
approach to improving production and distribution of local and regional foods for
a more secure food system, and a project that investigates transportation stress of
cattle on shedding of pathogens. She has been widely published and referenced in academic
journals.

Recent honors for Bratcher include the Gerald & Emily Leischuck Endowed Presidential
Award for Excellence in Teaching at Auburn University (2017); USDA Partnership Award
for Innovative Programs and Projects (2016); and Outstanding Young Animal Scientist
Award for Education from the American Society of Animal Science Southern Region (2015).

About CASNR

With an annual budget of $8.6 million, CASNR's research programs are widely recognized
for excellence in the discovery and delivery of knowledge on current and emerging
aspects of the food, fiber, fuel, natural resources, environmental sciences, management
and planning disciplines. In keeping with research that addresses regional issues
with national and global impact, CASNR promotes and supports multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary
and inter-institutional research programs.

"Our programs address real world issues faced by producers, processors and consumers
of food, fiber and natural resources," Brown said. "This allows the research to support
programs in areas contributing to the local and regional workforce, sustainable economic
and social development, and growth."

A new era of excellence is dawning as Texas Tech University achieves the Tier One designation. As of 2016, Texas Tech is listed among the nation's top doctoral universities in the Carnegie Classification
of Institutions of Higher Education. Of the 115 universities listed in the Highest Research Activity category, Texas Tech
is one of 81 public institutions in the top tier.

Research and enrollment numbers are at record levels, which cement Texas Tech's commitment
to attracting and retaining quality students. The university strives to foster an
environment that celebrates student accomplishment above all else. Texas Tech is large
enough to provide the best in facilities and academics, but small enough to focus
on each student individually.

Quality students need a top-notch faculty. Texas Tech is home to a diverse, highly
revered pool of educators who excel in teaching, research and service.

The college also consists of eleven research centers and institutes, including the
Cotton Economics Research Institute, the International Cotton Research Center and
the Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute.